Jan 9, 2011 12:44 AM

Trying to ID this skull in my collection. I initially thought it was a grey squirrel, however, when i compared it with a grey squirrel, I could see that it was quite different (slightly longer and broader, and of denser bone), although i believe sciuromorph. Unfortunately i have no idea where it came from (could have been collected overseas or found in Wiltshire garden - dead pet ?).

It is indeed a Grey Squirrel skull. Not Red Squirrel anyway (compare here). Take a look at the Grey Squirrel skull images here. They have other photos too. You could take a new set of 3 photos: from above, from below, and from a side, but really perpendicular on that plane you want to show (see what these photos look on that page). Then, compare with their photos.

Thanks for the input florin. Here's another photo alongside a Sciurus carolinensis skull, to demonstrate why I don't think it is red or grey squirrel. The skull pictured above is on the left in this image.

As you can see, it is much more robust with wide angular zygomatic arches.

I agree quagga, I think your evidence is quite clear. When this was first posted I pondered it, looked through a couple of books and a few online resources. It is certainly more robust and I was leaning towards other sciurids particularly one of the ground squirrels/marmots. It has a very distinctive almost round pallet and angular zygomatic arches. I will have another root around and see what I can turn up.

Thanks bombuslucorum, I had also thought it could be some kind of ground squirrel / marmot, but could not find enough good images to compare it with. Here's another view of the above two skulls showing the occipital region.

and one showing detail of the zygomatic arch

It has a very pointed corner unlike some images I have found of what I believe to be alpine marmot skulls.